FlyFishing New England - Destination: New Zealand (page 4)
"Is that what I think it is?"
I was a bit worried until Tim froze on a high bank. "I saw a big fish come from down deep and take a submerged nymph. John, cast right there." I could sense Tim's excitement even though he did not outwardly display it and I did not want to let him down. I responded less than professionally. My first cast was in the bank at Tim’s feet. My second attempt found the shrubbery in my backcast resulting in a mess which took an eternity - between a minute or two - to untangle. Meanwhile Tim squirmed. I'm sure I do not want to know what he was thinking!
"The eagle has landed!"
My third cast was perfect and, I was so relieved to have landed it, I did not see the strike indicator disappear until Tim started yelling at me to lift my rod! I did. "Dam, stuck on the bottom," I thought. But then the bottom started to move and I knew I had a big fish. The fish fought hard, not one of those famed fights wherein the fish runs up and down the river. It was a long, "I'm going to do my best log imitation" type of fight with two quick but short runs. I spent every second of the struggle worrying about the strength of my tippet, knot quality and my own skills! Tim netted and measured the 9 pound, 29 inch brown while I tried to convince him to stretch it just one more inch. High fives all around and one big smile for me!
Rainbows
It was Stephen’s turn. We hiked up the river to a point where two tributaries converged in a roaring whirlpool. Just above the convergence a hatch was erupting and Stephen starting casting into the rises. Eight rainbows came to the net including two over five pounds. These were the fights of legend as the rainbows tore off line, running side to side and up and down the current, flashing their colors and doing aerials. Back at the lodge we compared notes with Mike and Tara. Before he said a word I knew Mike had a good day. He caught several fish including one very large rainbow. I am willing to bet he is still smiling about that fish. Mike and Tara ended up changing their travel plans to stay at the lodge for another day.
Last day
Our final day was indeed a grand finale! After watching the waters of the Tongariro River for three days, we were about to test it for fish. It passed with flying (rainbow) colors!
We drove to an access area and hiked through the woods downstream to work our way back upstream. Eagle-eyed Tim froze and stared at a place I never would have guessed held fish. No more than a foot deep, this section held four nice rainbows tucked right up against the opposite bank. Stephen landed three, the largest of which was four pounds.
| Maoris
Maoris are the indigenous people of New Zealand. In days past, they were apparently quite ferocious. However, they are now completely assimilated into the western society. They do maintain their identity, culture and pride. Our next door neighbor at Tongariro Lodge was the King of the Maoris. Two or three times a day, the King would come or go from the lodge by helicopter which landed on our front lawn. For a sample of Maori culture, google "Haka" and the "New Zealand All Blacks rugby" team and watch the video. Let me know if you were not frightened for the other team. |
Working our way upstream, we found pocket after pocket holding fish, all rainbows. One particularly large fish refused to play but I did land a gorgeous six and a half pound male. In fact, I caught five of seven fish holding in an area just deep enough to cover their backs. Stephen teased a gorgeous seven pound male into taking a parachute Adams. We ended the day with about eighteen fish. It was a perfect day in fishing paradise - awesome fishing, good company, blue sky and I remembered my hat this time.
We drove to one last location on the river for a few more casts before calling it a day and witnessed an interesting phenomenom. Pumice is a volcanic rock filled with air bubbles which allow the rock to float. Upstream from our location, a stream bank collapsed. The pumice was washed out and floating downstream. We collected a few pieces for curiosity.
Heading Home
After landing in Boston at 5:30 on Thanksgiving morning, it was time to get right back into things. We had breakfast and headed back to the high school to catch the bus for Stephen’s final high school football game. No rest for the weary. Afew days later I was back at my desk. At least once a day my eye catches the rock and photo and I am instantly transported around the globe. College is just around the corner now and who knows where Stephen will settle after that. I hope to collect more rocks with him. How fast the time goes by!
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